**New DigitalCity programme to help tech companies realise their potential**

**New DigitalCity programme to help tech companies realise their potential**

Fourteen tech companies in the Tees Valley are being helped to scale and grow with the support of a new DigitalCity initiative.

DigitalCity Scale is a three-month programme designed specifically for ambitious businesses in the digital and technology sectors who can demonstrate high growth and potential for scaling.

The first cohort will begin the programme at a launch event tomorrow (Wednesday, 27 September) at Wynyard Hall where they will hear from Andrew Grill, an international expert on digital strategy having scaled numerous businesses.
DigitalCity, based at Teesside University, with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and European Regional Development Fund, works with digital and non-digital companies to drive innovation and growth.

Scale-ups are defined as companies who have seen consistent growth, and research has shown that they have the greatest potential to create jobs and grow the economy. Scaling a company involves implementing processes and systems to ensure that it has the capability to grow as the business grows.

DigitalCity Investment Programme manager, David Dixon, said: “The DigitalCity Scale programme is for tech companies who have got to a certain level but have started to plateau, or maybe those companies who have got a lot of early traction since start-up and are unsure how to act on it.

“Maybe they still have a slim management team of owner-managers who are unable to meet the demands of the day-to-day running of the business while helping it to grow.
“Our programme will enable them to meet these challenges and equip them with all the tools necessary to scale their business.

“Making sure that our tech companies realise their full potential for growth is a major priority for DigitalCity and for the Tees Valley.”

Each session will also hear from an inspirational business leader who will share insights and experience from their own entrepreneurial journeys.

Confirmed speakers include Daumantas Dvilinskas, a co-founder and CEO of international money transfer business TransferGo which was set up with the help of DigitalCity. Also speaking will be Kevin Mann, founder of Graphic.ly and Audacious.

Every entrepreneur will also be paired up with a dedicated business mentor who will help to formulate a bespoke action plan to help realise business aspirations.

David Dixon added: “This is a unique programme with nothing like it in the region specifically for the digital and tech sector.
“What makes it distinctive is the focus of the programme is on peer-to-peer learning.

“This is not a ‘chalk and talk’ programme – business leaders will be working with like-minded entrepreneurs, sharing and learning from each other’s challenges and obstacles.”

A second cohort of DigitalCity Scale is due to start in Spring 2018. Anybody interested in taking part can call 01642-384334 or email info@thedigitalcity.com for more information.